Blue Bulls:75 Year Anniversary book

The Blue Bulls Rugby Union and its teams established themselves as leaders on the field and in the boardroom over the past 75 years, since its secession from the Transvaal Rugby Football Union in 1938. The Bulls franchise followed this lead to become the only South African side that has won the Vodacom Super Rugby competition – and, did so three times!

‘True to the Blue’ is the story of this extraordinary 75 year period, with its elation and frustrations. Well illustrated and with generous statistical information, the book also depicts the first rugby in Pretoria; the dream of becoming its own union and the realisation thereof more than fifty years later as the Northern Transvaal Rugby Football Union; the first steps after independence and the growth to a union and side respected world-wide.

It is the narrative of the legends on the field, including Victor Matfield, Naas Botha, Frik du Preez and Bryan Habana…to mention a few; of the administrators; of the feats of men like president Fritz Eloff and coaches Buurman van Zyl, Heyneke Meyer, John Williams and Frans Ludeke; and of the staff and committees who have worked ceaselessly, and the fans that have supported unconditionally.

The book is also available in Afrikaans as ‘Hou by die Blou: 75 Jaar van die Blou Bulle Rugbyunie’.

A little more about the author: Wim van der Berg is the managing editor of BLOU, the official magazine of the Bulls and the Blue Bulls. He is a seasoned rugby writer and has contributed to many newspapers and magazines since 1969, and spent many hours watching the legends of club, provincial and international rugby at Loftus Versfeld.

Thisis Wim’s seventh rugby book, and the third on Northern Transvaal/Blue Bulls rugby. A rugby man, he played the game until he was 57; was a senior club referee; coached rugby at first team level; sat on committees of various clubs, and was manager and coach at provincial sevens level.

Available at all major book retailers such as CNA, PNA, Exclusive Books, Bargain Books, Graffitti and small independent shops.

Paperback: R250 Vat Inclusive

Limited edition: R1250 VAT Inclusive

PS: orders may also be placed directly with lapa on www.lapa.co.za or phone 012 401 0700

2 COMMENTS

Pity the fool who mocks a team in army colours. And that is only for away games, home games still blue.

Hehe it will come as no surprise that I have the book ’70 Goue glorie jare’ and also this new addition to the family. Long may the success live on and may the century edition be filled with at least 35 more trophies, superrugby and cc combined.